Thursday, June 30, 2005

Detective qualities Most people I know enjoy some sort of mystery stories. My mother-in-law loved police and courtroom procedurals. My mother likes detective fiction. There are also murder mysteries, general mysteries, and hard-boiled detective stories, with protagonists such as Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, Amelia Peabody, Kinsey Millhone, Mamur Zapt, and Perry Mason to name a few. Do you enjoy reading mysteries? My first thought was a resounding NO--there are a few types of fiction that I do not enjoy at all and mysteries rank at number one/historical fiction coming in a close second--but upon further reflection I guess there are some stories I read that have a pseudo mystery element to them(but there aren't many).

What's your favorite kind of mystery? None

Do you like plenty of blood and guts, or do you prefer the details to be left to the reader's imagination? I like some blood and guts in most genres I read, but I also prefer to have some things left to the imagination.

Do you prefer mystery stories based in the author's time or in previous centuries?Do you prefer mysteries based in your own country, or in distant lands?

I like more of a fantasy element to what I read so if I did find a mystery I liked it would have to be set in another place.

Do you like to figure out the solution, or do you allow yourself to be carried away with the story?

In anything I read I like to let myself get carried away with the story.

Happy knitting and reading,Aloha :)

PS--operation get my mom and sister to knit is going well--I taught my sister how to cast on and we got through a couple of rows of knitting today--mom is on the list tomorrow. And let me just say that it is really much more difficult than I expected to teach someone to knit--it wasn't really hard for me to learn, but it is hard for me to watch someone else struggle with it.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Or in my case the journey begins with not one but three screaming fits down the isle of numerous flights. I love my son--please don't doubt that for a second--I love him with every fiber of my being. That being said, flying with the boy is much like spending time with the demon spawn of Satan. For all three flights on Tuesday, he took one look at the entry to the plane, threw himself to the ground, and screamed bloody murder while I dragged him, his carseat, his diaper bag, and my backpack down the isle of three crowded planes. Luckily(for me and all onboard)he zipped it once he was securely hooked into his seat. I understand fear of flying and apprehension(on maybe one flight), but the same display on three planes was almost a bit more than my nerves could handle. But we made it and here we are in scenic Buffalo. As much as I would love to show you pictures of the above mentioned displays, I can't--I don't have the software I need here(nor did I have the time or hands to take pictures--although I would LOVE to have had some pictures of "babyrage 2005"). Just a word of caution for any of you as foolish as I, if you decide to fly with two children under five(by yourself) and all the "stuff" that goes along with them, I guarantee that NONE of your connecting gates will be anywhere near each other(I'm not even sure the one in Dallas was in the same zip code)--so start your marathon training now ;)

On the knitting front: I have turned the heel on my first sock in the second year of the Six Sox Knitalong--I want to have the socks done by the end of my trip. I am also in the process of attempting to convert my mother and sister(baby blanket #3 recipient) to knitting--wish me luck in my desire to spread the madness :) I also plan on having a good chunk of the Wives and Daughters read by the end of my trip(it's the second book in the Knit the Classics Knitalong)

Now onto this weeks SBQ:

Thanks to Karen F. (http://stitchmania.blogspirit.com/) for today's"Stitching Blogger's Question" and that is:

When starting a new project, do you start in the middle? If you do,once you've worked down to the bottom, do you turn your chart andfabric around so that you are stitching the top section downwardsagain or do you just stitch upwards from the middle?

I have always started my projects in the middle even though sometimes it is nearly impossible to find it(especially on multi page patterns). I just stitch upwards from the middle. I would love to try and start a project at one of the corners but I'm always afraid I'll miscalculate and have a HUGE mess on my hands.

Friday, June 24, 2005

Well, the time has come for me to take a brief break. I will be incommunicado until at least next Wednesday(June 29th)--my beloved computer will be hitting the highway to Colorado and I, along with my 2 kiddos, will be hitting the friendly skies and winging our way to the scenic destination of Buffalo, NY. I may log on a couple of times this weekend to reply to messages but I won't be posting. Have a great weekend and I look forward to catching everyone up on my travels next week!

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Yes, I really don't like the "cutesy" type of designs(Alma Lynne comes to mind most prominently)--I don't think there is anything wrong with them they just seem like more of a beginner thing to do. Also, I tend to like more detail in the pieces I stitch. I also don't like most band samplers(although I have done a couple Shepherd's Bush pieces that I really like) and "rustic" looking pieces. Geez, apparently I'm pretty picky--I didn't think so until I started to answer this:)

"Booking Through Thursday" Question:Probably most books stand on their own. But a lot of them are part of a series. J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy comes immediately to mind, as well as Stephen R. Donaldson's Gap series, Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody series, and lots more. Do you read books that are part of a series? Do you collect all the books in the series before starting? What if the series is brand new, and the only book that's been published so far is Book 1? As subsequent books in the series are published, do you go back and re-read the preceding books?

Oh boy, I'm LOVING this week's questions. A most resounding YES, I seem to read a bunch of books that are part of a series(Dark Hunter series--Sherilynn Kenyon, Anita Blake series--Laurel Hamilton, Harry Potter--JKRowling, Merry Gentry series--also by Laurell Hamilton, Sword of Truth series--Terry Goodkind, and Lord of the Rings is on the list to be read(I hate to admit I haven't since I love the movies so much). I don't collect them before starting--I need to read one first to decide if I like it and it has to be the first one in the series; I can't stand starting something in the middle. I actually have read a book that is the first(and only until August) in its series--it's Eragon by Christopher Paolini--it's the first book in the Inheritance series. I sometimes go back and reread them--although I haven't read book 5 in the Harry Potter series after my initial reading--I was too traumatized by events in that book to reread it and as for the others some aren't really that interdependent and some of the series are too long for me to reread all of them before a new one comes out.

Okay well that covers my weekly memes. So onto the business at hand. I have turned the heel on my Chutes and Ladder sock for the Six Sox Knitalong--I got a lot done today as I watched the movers pack my house(it really calms me down to knit when I'm stressed; otherwise, I'd be hovering over the packers). So between keeping the kids occupied, answering mover questions, filling out paper work, and stressing, I actually got some knitting done. At the end of the day I have to go around with the packers and check the numbered boxes(178 thank you very much). You know when you move and write a comment on each box so you know what it's for? Well, "upstairs packer guy" writes this on my four or so boxes of KNITTING stuff--"SEWING supplies/books". Is it wrong that I wanted to sit him down and point out the not so subtle difference between sewing and knitting? And not only that but I happened to be upstairs during packing of said items and promptly left upon seeing how he was manhandling my treasured knitting books--is it possible that there are people out there who do not understand the value of a Starmore book or my Barbara Walker treasuries? Rather than sit him down for a stern lecture(which could have resulted in a worse beating for my treasured texts), I came downstairs and started knitting(but I will hunt the man down if there is a crinkled page or any damage whatsoever) :)

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

There is much rejoicing in our household today(okay, I'm the only one rejoicing actually), the baby blanket-a-thon is done! Finished last night, weaved in ends this morning, washed, dried, photographed, and here it is in all its cabled glory.

Stick a fork in it; it's done

Here's a close-up of some of the cables.

close up

It was a fun blanket to knit and I'm glad it was cold for most of the time I was working on it--the heat the past couple of days made me question whether I would finish or not. It's the Aran Baby Blanket from Knit Baby Blankets by Gwen Steege(I think that's the correct name--I don't have the book in front of me). It's done in Encore worsted in Denim, which to me still does not even look blue--it looks like more of an Atlantic ocean green to me. I hope I'm not going color blind :)

It has the distinction of being the LAST finished object here in Utah. Tomorrow the movers come for two days of packing fun and excitement(at least that's how I'm propositioning it to the kids). I do think I'll get quite a bit of knitting done after today(today I have too much to do), because we will not have a TV or a refrigerator--so no cooking for me(I guess that's a plus!). We'll be staying in a hotel for the weekend BUT I'm keeping out a computer so I can still get online :) Then Tuesday it's hopping a plane to NY to deliver the final blanket.

Bring on the LACE baby!!!!

Happy knitting,Aloha :)

UPDATE: Thanks so much to everyone who commented on the blanket--I started it at the end of April and a lot of love definitely went into it(as well as the other two). I'd email you all individually, but right now I have to be a contortionist in order to post anything--computer desk is packed so the computer is squeezed onto a very tiny countertop and I have to type sideways--so please accept my most humble apologies for the group Thank You :)

Monday, June 20, 2005

So here's the recipient of a "candy" hat, "colori" socks, and the very nearly finished "Baby blanket-a-ton" final blanket. He's the big reason why I'm going to NY next week(he'll be 6 weeks old then)--I'm loving him already; so much so that I informed my sister I may be trading one(or more) of my own children for said infant:)

Baby Blanket-a-thon Recipient

Hopefully finished blanket pictures will be forth coming--although with the heat today not much knitting will be happening until night fall!

Too true--it ALMOST makes me homesick and it definitely gets me in the right frame of mind for my trip. I looked at the Utah one too and understood most of them(is that good or bad)and I definitely got the Hawaii one--go check and see if they have one from where you are from :)

Friday, June 17, 2005

I'm doing a little happy dance today because I just got into the "Knitting Bloggers" webring! It's pretty cool and it's made my day(I guess that's pretty sad that I'm so excited about it, but I like to celebrate the little victories!)

Here's a picture of my going away goodies from my awesome knitting buds. There is the autographed swift in the background, 2 sets of circs in sizes I don't already have, 2 very cool little stitch markers, Rowan #34(I see a Birch in my future), and some yarn for a project I have in mind if it swatches up nicely:) Not pictured is a Barnes and Noble gift certificate from Melissa--for a little "retail therapy"--I love it, not just because it's a gift certificate but it's got dragons on it--which is very cool.

going away goodies

Happy knitting and happy weekend!Aloha:)

(PS--the big move countdown is on--the movers will be here Thursday and Friday of next week--I'm actually keeping the computer out to be transported in the car; so I'll be able to post for next weekend, but phone service is gone on Monday the 27th. I'll post from my parent's house if I can remember all my passwords LOL)

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Here's the catch up and current questions for the Booking Through Thursday meme(see sidebar for link).

Some people are like my uncle, and they read four or five books a week, every week. Some are like my father, and read four or five books in a year. How many books do you read in a week? Month? Year? What's the best book or series of books you've read so far this year? What's the worst book you read this year? Did you finish it?

Normally, I read about a book a month, but this year I've only read 2 books so far with about five on deck to read. The best book I've read this year was "Eragon"--as an English teacher I am stunned and amazed that a teenager wrote that book--most students I have had can barely write a page. I haven't had a worst book yet this year--I'll let you know when I hit it:)

Some people, like my mother, only read paperback books. Others prefer hard cover books. Some read hard cover books because they come out first, but prefer paperbacks otherwise. And you? Do you prefer to read hard cover or paperback books? Why? Do you read books in the other format anyway?

Hardcover--something about the weight, the feel, the traditionalism of it. It's the kind of thing that becomes part of your "library"--whereas, paperbacks seem disposable to me. I do read paperbacks though--they have their place--they're portable and I don't worry too much about how they are treated.

Some people like to be surrounded by books, and keep everything they've ever read. Others don't like the clutter, and keep them long enough to read them. Most people seem to be somewhere in the middle... Do you buy the books you read, or do you borrow them from the library or from friends or from somewhere else? Do you prefer new or used books? If you buy them, do you keep them? If you don't keep them, how long do you hold on to them before letting them go? What do you do with them?

I always buy them. I prefer new--unless the used is in very good condition. I have the worst time letting go of books--remember in college when you could sell your books back at the end of the semester(I almost always did--beer money)--well, I had this one class I hated and couldn't wait to sell the book back--wouldn't you know a new edition came out so they weren't taking them back--I STILL have that book because I can't make myself get rid of it--even though a large part of me wants to burn it to this day(15 years later)

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Here's how baby blanket #3 is progressing thus far. I have 24" of 36" completed and I have 13 days to do it(with movers factored into the equation)--can I do it? I think I can--we shall see. I really like the blanket but it's not the kind of thing you want to work on when it's hot out--plus I'm dying to dive headlong into my lace stash!!

Blanket-a-thon progress

Happy Knitting and Stitching(for those that read on),Aloha:)

On the cross stitching front--these are the designs that made me REALLY, REALLY want to stitch again--the Lavender and Lace Celtic designs. I had three of the five in my stash and I got the last two in the mail yesterday!!!! Now to find time for all the stuff I want to do:)

Celtic Candy

SBQ(Part 2)What are your thoughts on craft and/or needlework shows? Have you beento one or are you planning on going to one this year?

I like the idea of shows whether it's for cross stitch or other crafts--it lets you see what's out there and maybe take classes to gain new skills. I'm not planning on attending one this year--unless it's held within about 100 miles of where I live.

How has your stitching evolved since you first started stitching?

Well I started with Precious Moments designs and now I have moved up to Goldenkite, Lavender and Lace, and TW designs--pretty big change in that respect:) I also started on stitching only with aida but that all changed once I tried linen--now it's just about all I'll use.

What is your next specialty stitch?

I don't know if this counts as a specialty stitch but I'd like to try some of the openwork designs--like TW uses in some of her samplers.

Do you "stitch with the seasons?" (This could be reflected by thecolors that you stitch with, the themes that you choose, or even thatduring your favorite season you stitch more (or less) than in others.)

Does stitching seasonal designs count(like the Celtic Ladies mentioned above)? I would say that I get more stitching done in the winter than in the summer. And as far as colors I prefer more jewel tones and wintery type colors.

Have you ever been asked to do model stitching?Did you do it? If so, what was your compensation? (money, stash,etc.) If not, why not?If you haven't done it, if you were asked would you? Why or whynot?

No, I haven't and I don't know that I would do it--I am REALLY bad at stitching for a deadline. I did "The Wedding" by Lavender and Lace for my sister's wedding. I started it when she got engaged with plans of giving it to her on her wedding day--well I did---her 5 year anniversary to be exact:) So as you can see stitching deadlines aren't good for me!

Do you set stitching goals?

I try to but they seem to go terribly wrong(see above)--setting a deadline seems to guarantee I won't finish something.

What is your opinion of Internet "freebies?"

I love freebies--it let's you try out a designer on a small scale. They also sometimes make great "quickie" gifts.

Given the option, would you rather buy a chart and get the materialand floss together yourself, or buy a pre-packed kit?

Buy the chart--I've spent so much time building up my DMC stash that a kit would be counter productive. Unless they gave you a kit with the fabric, specialty threads, beads, and non DMC extras.

How many strands of floss to you prefer to stitch with? Why?

1 doubled over the needle to create 2--it lets you start on the back with out having to stitch over the end--fewer things to weave in=neater back in my opinion.

How do you deal a "stitching slump?"

I try not to force it--I'm coming out of a major slump right now--stitching when I don't feel like it just leads to mistakes--making me dislike it even more.

What do you like *least* about cross stitching?

Backstitching--I can't stand it. You finish stitching a piece then you have to "trace" over it--it drives me insane--I have nearly finished objects that have remained that way just because of backstitching. Blended stitches and constantly changing colors comes in a close second and third(hence my love hate relationship with TW designs)

Do you feel the need to stitch a design from a specific designer justto say that you've experienced stitching one of their designs?

Not really I generally stitch what I like. I may look at a design or even purchase it though--just to have it onhand.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

For the past few weeks I have been taking a tour through memory lane and sharing with everyone the things I'll miss most about living here in Utah. Well, today we have reached the final chapter and I can honestly say that I have left the best for last :)

About a year and a half ago I entered my LYS on a Thursday night to participate in a knitting group. That evening(and the many other Thursdays that followed)allowed me to grow as a knitter and make some fabulous friends in the process. That group is the best gift that Utah has given me!

They came over on Sunday to give me a going away party--they came over to eat, knit, and chat--and it was wonderful! As I told them, I will be hard pressed to ever find a group of people that has meant more to me than them--they have set the bar really high for any knitting group I will be a part of in the future. I just love these women--and Randy ;)

The knitting and companionship would have been more than enough for me but they also gave me a VERY generous gift--a swift, ballwinder, and gift certificate! I will think of them every time I wind a ball of yarn from my ever growing stash--not just because of the gorgeous swift(to be pictured later) but because they all signed the base of the swift, so I will have a permanent reminder of the BEST thing I have received from my time in Utah---my GREAT friends :) Again, I must shout from the rooftops--I LOVE YOU GUYS and I cannot begin to find the words to describe all I have gained from each and every one of you!!!

Happy knitting everyone!Aloha :)

PS--I did get to KIP on Saturday--if you count my front yard as "public"--the weather looked ominous so the park was out and my dear son decided to sleep the afternoon away(which eliminated a trip to Barnes and Noble):) I am more than halfway done with the final baby blanket in the "Baby Blanket-a-thon"(picture to follow) and I am more than ready to finish it so that I can dive headlong into my growing list of lace projects--I am ready for my "summer of lace" to begin! Also, thank you to everyone who commented on how to decide what to pack from my knitting stuff--I think that Kim had the best idea--pack everything!

Saturday, June 11, 2005

As far as knitting goes--I'm 2 inches away from being halfway done with the 3rd and final baby blanket in the "baby blanket-a-ton". I'll post a progress pic once I cross the halfway mark. I want to have it done before my trip--if Wendy can finish a Starmore AND work 40 hours--why am I having such a hard time finishing this Aran blanket?

Also, I've read about this phenomenon before but I can finally see it happening to me. I am in the process of figuring out what to pack for my upcoming trip to visit family(none of whom are knitters)--what I'm really having a problem with is deciding what knitting stuff to pack! I've read about people who spend more time packing their knitting than their clothes--well I have become one of those people. This is being compounded by the fact that the movers will be packing up everything that is left behind and since I'm flying to NY and will have to check most of my knitting(you know, the needle thing--plus I'll be flying alone with two little kids--I doubt I'll have time to knit on board anyway) I'm stressing over whether my bag will get lost or not(so should I mail it instead). What if I need a reference book--which should I take? My 2 cherished Starmore books--do I let the movers pack them or take them with me(this same logic is running through my mind with just about all my knitting books)? Should I take an inventory of everything I pack in case it gets lost during one of my 2 flight changes? Should I take an inventory of all the stuff I'm having the movers pack--would it be wrong to claim on the moving insurance form that those items are priceless LOL? THESE are the things I've been torturing myself with for the last 2 days(and probably the next week and a half until the movers come). Anyone else out there ever had this happen to them or have I lost it? ;)

Finally(as far as knitting content goes)--it's KIP day--get out there and knit if you have time--spread the madness :)

I'm adding a little stitching content to my blog and in the interest of letting other cross stitchers know a little more about me; I've joined SBQ(stitching bloggers questions). I'm trying to catch up to where they are now so this post will be a little long :)

1. After you stitch a pattern or kit, what do you do with it?original post date: January 4, 2005

It depends on what the pattern is for. When it is a gift I have it framed, but there are some that are for me that I haven't decided what I want to do with them and they are still sitting with my supplies.

2. Do you see a difference between Anchor and DMC floss? If so, whatdo you think the difference is? Do you have a preference between thetwo?original post date: January 16, 2004

I only use DMC and whatever specialty threads a pattern calls for.

3. Do you frame your cross stitch yourself or do you take it to aprofessional framer? Why?In your opinion, what are the advantages or disadvantages ofputting your work behind glass when you frame it?original post date: January 26, 2005

I always take it to a professional framer--it just looks so much better that way. I think that there are many advantages to putting a piece behind museum quality glass(longevity, safety, etc.) that being said I don't ever do it because of the expense and because I feel that you tend to lose a lot of the textural quality that cross stitch has if you cover it up.

4. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 being thehighest, how comfortable do you feel changing a design's colors or theentire color scheme? Elaborate if you wish.original post date: February 2, 2005

I think for me it would be a 2--not because I don't think you should change the colors but because I don't feel I have the skills necessary to really do it justice. I absolutely love some of the changes I've seen people make in charts and I would love to develop that skill myself--I'm actually trying it with TW's "Futurecast", but I don't know if that counts since she guides you through the choosing process.

5. Thanks to AngelSan for the question this time around! Iscross-stitch your only crafty hobby or do you have others?original post date: February 8, 2005

Well, as you can see by my site I'm very into knitting--insanely so judging by my packing issue mentioned above. Cross stitch was my first hobby though--I learned how to do it when I was 12 and even though I tend to have "burn out" phases with it--I really admire and appreciate what goes into a piece--I'm not sure if non stitchers do.

7. Do you participate in Round Robins? If so, how many have youparticipated in? If not, have you thought about it?original post date: February 22, 2005

Nope and nope.

8. Do you prefer old-fashioned black and white symbol only patterns,color patterns, or a combination of color and symbols on yourpatterns?original post date: March 2, 2005

Black and white all the way--the color ones really confuse me.

9. Do you have a favorite designer? If so, who is it?original post date: March 9, 2005

I love Lavender and Lace, TW, and the Goldenkite patterns--these are mostly what has been added to my stash in the last 5 years or so.

10. On average, how many hours a week do you spend cross-stitching?original post date: March 16, 2005

I'm actually just getting back into it after a two year hiatus. Normally my stitch time is counted in hours per month rather than per week. Two little kids don't allow a lot of time for stitching so when I do it will usually be a long run on a weekend. Plus since I started knitting(2 years ago coincidentally), my stitching time has dwindled down, but I'm missing it and that's why I'm starting up again :)

Friday, June 10, 2005

I found a link to this through Annette's blog and since I am a very avid reader(even have a Master's in it) I thought I'd jump in, so Friday's will probably be dedicated to posting for the Booking Through Thursday meme.

Here goes with the first two weeks(I'll do two at a time until I catch up):

I once knew a man who read about WWII. He read everything he could get his hands on on the subject. He had a whole wall of books that were all about WWII. It amazed me. How could he continue to find one subject that engrossing? My mother, on the other hand, loves to read best sellers. I've known other people who read science fiction to the exclusion of everything else; for others it was philosophy, self-help, or history.

So, to the questions...

What kind of books do you like to read?

I enjoy reading fantasy, science fiction, horror type books, and also young adult literature(I'm a secondary reading specialist, so I need to find stuff I think kids will enjoy). On occasion I read romance stuff but it usually has some sort of weird twist to it(like the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon). I also enjoy reading classic literature like Shakespeare, Poe, and Chaucer.

Why? Provide specific examples.

I enjoy the fantasy element of most of the books I read and I've always had a fascination with vampires, werewolves, and dragons--so I'll read anything that catches my fancy along those lines. I have really become intrigued with the ways in which authors integrate these characters into their stories--for example, vampires. Most of the books I read aren't about the "Dracula" type of vampire. Anne Rice, Laurell Hamilton, and Sherrilyn Kenyon all have very different ways of integrating these beings into their work--and it all seems to work well. And who cannot love a werewolf like Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter series :)

Some people read one book at a time. Some people have a number of them on the go at any given time, perhaps a reading in bed book, a breakfast table book, a bathroom book, and so on, which leads me to... Are you currently reading more than one book?

Nope, I am a one book at a time person(at least with fiction--I don't think that constantly referring to knitting books for reference should count as more than one book at a time).

If so, how many books are you currently reading?Is this normal for you?

One book at a time is very normal for me. I like to really absorb myself in what is going on in the text and reading more than one at a time tends to confuse things in my mind. I have enough distractions in reality; I don't need to bulk them up more in fiction :)

Where do you keep your current reads?

On my nightstand at night, on the kitchen counter or in the car during the day.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

If you plan on knitting at all, why not do it in public? Apparently the powers that be have declared Saturday, June 11 Worldwide Knit in Public Day. So grab your latest project and get out there :)

I would post the button for this but I cannot figure out how to get any button with the GIF tag to post on the site without directly linking to it(which of course is a NO NO), but it does indeed have a cool flashy button to go along with it.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

On my harried trip to and from Denver this weekend I managed to squeeze in time to check out a yarn shop(Showers of Flowers)--I got some baby alpaca lace weight yarn; it's a kind of brown/black color. Also pictured is the cotton/silk(it's a light, light blue) I got from the Knit Craft Studio trip with Mim and Kim 1. And finally, there is some Knit Picks lace yarn in Iris. I also included some of my recent lace pattern acquisitions as well--now I just have to decide what to do after my Beginner's Triangle is finished. Wendy has declared this the summer of lace and judging by my purchases over the last 3 months, I'd have to agree. Barely visible(even if you click on the picture) is the progress on baby blanket #3--bet you thought I forgot about it--nope, it's just boring to photograph when it's the same as before only longer :)

Knitting Retail Therapy

Lest anyone think that I am forsaking my other hobby, I'm including a picture of some recent cross stitch purchases--these are actually my first purchases in quite a long time. There's cloth, beads, metallic thread, and floss for the "Futurecast" dragon by Teresa Wentzler and also floss and the patterns(I already have the linen for them in my stash) for some Celtic Bookmarks also by Teresa Wentzler. For the uninitiated Teresa Wentzler designs some of the most beautiful cross stitch pieces I have ever seen; that being said they are also some of the hardest. I am still working on her Summer Carousel horse--it's my longest WIP EVER--I started it in the late 80's(1980's not 1880's although it does feel like that sometimes) and it's still nowhere close to being finished. Sometimes(and forgive me all the TW fans who are reading) I feel as though there is a special circle of Hell created just for these patterns--she changes color constantly and the backstitching--don't even get me started--it never ends. But that being said I still love her designs for the beauty AND the challenge :) Cross Stitch Retail Therapy

For anyone interested on a truck update--I got it back at 4pm on Friday and it drove well to and from Denver--although on the way home the ABS light came on--wonder where that little light will take me?

We are about 2.5 weeks away from the beginnings of the move stuff(movers coming, cleaning carpets, closing on the house, immediately departing for NY after that**I know we're moving to Denver but I'm going to visit family before going to CO**, etc.) so things will be getting pretty frantic here. I'll try to keep up with my knitting and with my blog, but forgive me if my posts thin out for the next few weeks :)

Happy knitting,Aloha :)

PS--sorry the pictures are dark--it's a dark, crappy day here in Utah--not really good for taking pictures

Friday, June 03, 2005

Here's a "mini finished object". It's the Diamond bookmark for the Knit the Classics Knit/Readalong. I wimped out and chose a small project that I could complete quickly. And you'll notice I used the leftover sock yarn from my daughter's socks :) I justified choosing a bookmark because it's a knitting and reading thing--so now I'll have this funky bookmark for the rest of this book and the others. Plus I will not be adding another large project to my "knit with a deadline" list and I'll have to more time to read!

***If you don't want to read my venting rant about my truck then move on ;) and have a great weekend!***

Just as an aside rant(because I feel the need to vent somewhere), I'm sitting here waiting for a call from the car dealer so I can get my Explorer back. Yesterday I was driving home from the store and the "check engine" light comes on. I wasn't concerned because the truck was driving fine but I wanted it checked out because I was supposed to be driving to Denver today and I'd rather be safe than sorry(especially driving through Wyoming where there are miles and miles and miles of NOTHING). SO I get to the dealership for my 7:30am appointment and sit there for three and a half hours(with the children) before they give me an update. Apparently I have some sort of injector something issue and for a mere $600 we can get it fixed---fabulous, what a perfect day! So not only do I get to wait here until, I'm betting, at least 5pm when they come to pick me up to get the truck, but then I get to pay them, and I STILL have to get to Denver this weekend--so it's crack of dawn tomorrow for me! How did I get back from the dealership you ask--well they found someone to take me back home in one of the vans(why didn't we come up with that plan at 7:30am?) That in itself was a joy with moving car seats, loading up the big stroller(had to take out the back row of seats for that) and lucky me I get to do it all again in a few hours!!

I think I need to go knit for a while and calm down--Andrea had a great post about that very thing by the way!

I just keep thinking about Finding Nemo when Dory is singing the "Just keep swimming" song--that's what I need to do today. . ."just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming, What do we do we swim. . ."

Thursday, June 02, 2005

I finished my daughter's socks today--normally I am pretty good at knitting socks, BUT I had to unravel the toe decreases on both of these socks TWICE because I kept getting the length wrong. I won't even go into how I had to unravel the first sock because my gauge was 10 stitches per inch instead of 7.5. So truly, I count these as 2 pairs of socks since I basically knit them twice. I don't know if the picture shows it but the "girly stripes" Lorna's Laces yarn is really bright and cute--they are young diva's favorite colors--almost all of her summer wardrobe are those shades of pink and purple.

As you can see by my "knitalong" section, I have succumbed and joined the "Knit the Classics" knit/readalong. I have put my other reading on hold in order to delve into Middlemarch. I'm really excited about it--even after I saw how LONG it was :)